Letter Carriers food drive May 11 helps fill critical food needs

The National Association of Letter Carriers, the nation’s largest one-day food drive, has teamed up with the United Way and others to stamp out hunger in our region.

The 21st annual food drive will be held May 11 in 16 counties in Missouri and Illinois including Lincoln County and the City of St. Louis.

More than 57,000 people in the bi-state region rely on the St. Louis Area Foodbank and the pantries they serve for assistance every week. According to the Foodbank, one in eight people in the region are in need of food assistance with the majority being children.

Those wishing to participate are asked to place unopened, non-perishable food next to your mailbox before your letter carrier delivers your mail on May 11. Types of food to donate include peanut butter, soups, canned tuna or chicken are among the favorites. Any non-perishable canned good that can be considered a complete meal is desired.

In 2012, the local letter carriers collected more than 724,647 pounds of food in one day.